Child&#39;s amusement device



Patented Oct. 1, 1929 UNITED STATES ROBERT IP. SCHIFFMANN, CHICAGO, IIJLINOIS CHILDS AMUSEMENT Janvier.

Application led September 17, 1928. Serial No. 306,427. I

rIhis invention relates to improvements in childrens amusement devices and, more particularly, to a device such as a hobby horse or the like. One of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved, simplified, and inexpensive device of the class referred to. Another object of the invention is to provide a device having a rocking motion similar to hobby horse action with an improved and simplified construction. Another object is to provide a childs toy of the above mentioned character, wherein a port-ion thereof is of such construction and shape as to simulate the head of an animal or fowl. A

further object is to yprovide a device of the character specified in which the movement of the operating parts has the peculiar characteristics hereinafter described. A further object is to provide a toy of the class described which may be used as a childs exerciser.

Gther objects and alvantages will appear and be brought out more fully in the following description and drawings, of which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of my device; and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

In devices of the class of which this invention is a part, hobby horses and childrens exercisers and amusement devices are usually 3o provided with a spring seat portion which oscillates or rotates about a fixed axis, and in which the movement is essentially up and down. In the well-known type of hobby horse, in which the feet of the animal are secured to suspension swing members, the reciprocating action of the horse includes both a forward and backward motion, as well as an up and down motion, resulting in a curve of motion which, in some respects,'is

4o similar to a swing, but, in other respects, is very much like 'the movement of a horse on foot. It is an essential feature of my invention to produce this peculiar motion in the manner about to be described.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, I show a device having a base comprising a longitudinal member 1 and a cross member 2, both of which may be suitably provided with foot pieces, rollers, casters, or the like, as desired. To the upper side of member 1, and near its connecting point to member' 2, is suitablysecured one end of a U-shaped spring 3 by bolting, screwing, or the like, and to the other endY of spring 3 is similarly secured a seat orbody piece 4. Body piece 4 55 extends longitudinally forward, and to its forward vend isvv secured extension members 5, which terminate in a cross piece 6 which serves as a foot rest for the occupant or user.

Rising Afrom the forward end of ybody piece 4, and suitably secured thereto, is the neck 7, the upper end of which terminates in a head 8, which may be shaped in theform of a horse or other animal or fowl. Through an aperture in the neck 7 is secured a cross piece 9 65 .f which serves as a handle for the operation of the device and to which the user may apply himself for safety.

Spring 3 consists preferably of a somewhat U-shaped member which has portions 10 '70V extending substantially parallel to members 1 and 4, respectively, but separated or spaced. therefrom and curved at 11 to provide securing portions 12 and 13. Spring portion 12 is secured to member 1 near its rear extremity, 753g and portion 13 is likewise secured to the seat or body portion 4 near its rear extremity. The retracted portion of spring 3 is carried forward over member 1 and under body member 4, so that these parts are substantially the 801 same extreme dimensions. The base 1 and body piece 4 converge towards their forward ends, so that they will be substantially parallel when the child is at rest on the seat.

In the operation of the device, a child sit- S5` ting on the seat and grasping handle 9 and having his feet on members 6, by throwing his weight forward, will produce a downward motion of the forward end of the seat portion, and, while there would be some downward motion of the rear portion of the seat, it will be less pronounced than the forward portion and will be a slight rotation. When the child releases his weight from the forward end of the seat portion and H throws it to the backward portion, the rear portion of the seat will be depressed, and there will be a resultant rotation of the rear portion of the seat about an axis near the forward portion of the U-shaped spring. loo` The forward portion ofthe seat member will be thrown both backwardly and upwardly, having a rotation about an axis through the portion 12 and, also, through the portion 13 of the spring 3. It will therefore be clear that the operating action of the. device is neither a pure rotation about a fixed axis, nor a translation along a fixed line, but a combination of the two, which very much simulates the action of a real horse or that of the well-known hobby-horse.

I claim as my invention:

l. An amusement device comprising a seat member and a base, each comprising a bar, a U-shaped spring, one end of each arm of the spring being fixed respectively to one of said bars, each bar being otherwise spaced away from the spring and projecting forwardly parallel with the arm, vand a seat in the central portion of said seat-member bar. f

2. An amusement device as claimed in claim l, and comprising a footrest on the free end of the seat bar. t

3. An amusement device as claimed in claim 1, and comprising a foot rest on the free end of the seat bar, and a support projecting upwardly from said seat bar immediately in front of said seat, and a handle mounted on the upper end of said support.

4. An amusement device as claimed in claim l, in which both of the said bars project forwardly beyond the spring, the free end of said seat bar being turned downwardly, and a foot rest on the said seat bar end.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand. Y

ROBERT P. SCHIFFMANN. 

